It Hurts Quite a Bit (3)
I masked my surprise and spoke.
"Oh, no, Your Highness! How could a mere merchant like me receive an apology from the Crown Prince himself?"
"This is my apology, but it's also a message from Father."
"……."
This was even more bewildering.
There couldn't be many people across the entire empire who'd ever heard an apology from the Emperor.
How much more does he plan to use me...?
"I've unintentionally caused you pain. I promise this will never happen again."
"Your benevolence humbles me."
"So, Father said he'd grant whatever you desire as compensation. That includes the reward he promised before, plus this as an apology for what happened."
For a moment, I inwardly cheered.
Compensation!
What a sweet word.
But claiming it would require some negotiation. That's how I could turn the original reward into something even greater.
"Could you tell me what reward His Imperial Majesty originally intended for me?"
"Gold, silk, and this pass."
The Crown Prince drew a jade plaque from his sleeve and placed it on my knee.
Normally, I had to use a temporary wooden pass to enter the palace.
But this was a permanent jade entry pass—no need to return it, unlike the wood one.
In other words, I could come and go from the imperial palace whenever I wished.
This pass was worth more than it seemed.
It might look like a simple entry token, but for the imperial palace? That changed everything.
My name was engraved on it—clearly prepared in advance.
He must have some grand scheme in mind, going to this length.
He was surely confident I'd accept it.
But I put on a guilty expression and offered the jade plaque back.
"I'm sorry, but I can't choose this."
"Why not?"
"I couldn't bear the responsibility. Even with occasional summons, the trials are this severe. If I took this... I'm too weak to handle it."
The Crown Prince's visible dismay confirmed my hunch.
"The compensation I want isn't something so grand."
"Then what do you desire?"
I pretended to ponder for a moment before speaking.
"I've unexpectedly acquired an item, and I'd like His Imperial Majesty to guarantee its ownership."
"That would suffice?"
"Yes."
"What item is it?"
"A wrapping cloth."
"A wrapping cloth?"
"Yes. This is top secret, but since it must be reported to His Majesty anyway, I'll tell you. There, I discovered the last will of Grandmaster Bloodgon."
"What? Is that true?!"
I glanced around and whispered.
"Your Highness, please lower your voice."
"Ah, sorry."
Of course, with the Crown Prince here, my guards and his were standing watch. But there was no benefit to raising voices.
"The red silk wrapping cloth that held his will—that's what I want."
"Just that?"
"It's not 'just' anything. It's the cloth that wrapped the revered Grandmaster's will. How invaluable is that?"
"Hah……."
The Crown Prince looked utterly baffled.
I get it. But once he learns the truth later, his bafflement will take on a whole new meaning.
The Crown Prince said,
"Even so, I don't understand. Why ask for it as compensation instead of just taking it?"
"To prepare for any contingencies. If the Shaolin Temple claims even that cloth as theirs, what choice would a mere merchant have but to yield?"
"Hm, fair point."
"So, please have His Imperial Majesty guarantee its ownership in my name."
I continued,
"His Imperial Majesty is the supreme ruler of this empire. Even the Shaolin Temple couldn't defy his decree."
The Crown Prince nodded readily.
"Very well. Father said to grant whatever you want, within reason. You could have asked for far more."
"This is enough for me. And honestly, isn't it His Majesty's remembrance of his promise to me that matters most? That alone fills me with gratitude."
"If you're that set on it, so be it."
Done!
I clenched my hidden hand under the blanket, cheering inwardly.
Now the wrapping cloth artifact was undeniably mine.
"You're truly unpredictable."
"Pardon?"
"I figured a merchant like you would naturally pick the permanent pass."
I apologize, Your Highness.
But I'm not someone who should get close to the palace.
His Majesty is already eyeing every chance to nail me down there like a post. Why would I invite that madness?
I smiled and said,
"As I mentioned, I couldn't bear it."
"How can a merchant lack such greed? I wish the palace ministers had even half your restraint."
Hah... Your Highness.
That's dangerous talk.
And greedless? His Majesty would roll on the floor laughing if he heard that.
The Crown Prince examined the jade plaque, then spoke.
"Truth be told, Father gave me a letter to read aloud if you refused this."
He pulled a small envelope from his sleeve, tore it open, and began reading.
"……."
His expression turned slightly flustered. He tucked the letter away and picked up the jade plaque.
Suddenly, I felt uneasy.
"It's a bonus. Take it."
"Pardon?"
"Doesn't even a merchant know what a bonus is?"
"I do, but……."
"It's yours."
In other words, an imperial gift.
You couldn't refuse a gift like that... So I accepted it reluctantly.
"Your benevolence humbles me."
How many times have I said that today?
The Crown Prince rose.
"Our business is concluded. I'll take my leave. Recover soon—we'll meet in the palace before long."
"Your Highness……."
"No need for formalities. And recover quickly. If you delay, Father might send the imperial physician."
"……."
With that, the Crown Prince left my quarters. I watched him go, then looked at the jade plaque in my hand.
Your Imperial Majesty.
Why are you so clingy?
Well, it was done now. I'd have to make the most of it.
But what was in that letter to fluster him like that?
The Crown Prince exited the Eunhae Merchant Group's Beijing branch.
"Back to the palace."
"Yes."
Only once inside the carriage could he let out a deep sigh.
What a fearsome fellow. But now I see why Father favors him so.
You've been had by that fellow. In any case, since you've already permitted it, no choice now. Give him the jade pass you refused and call it a bonus. That way, you'll see his flustered face.
— His Imperial Majesty
In the end, he'd followed Father's words and seen Eun Seo-ho's flustered look upon receiving the jade pass.
And he realized one more thing.
Father said it was all an act... but his illness looked so real, I treated him like an invalid without thinking...
Eun Seo-ho would be as terrifying an enemy as he was reliable an ally.
Could he ever become my man?
Moments later, the carriage reached the palace, and the Crown Prince headed to the Emperor's study.
"How did it go?"
"Well, Father."
The Crown Prince reported in detail on his meeting with Eun Seo-ho.
"...That's all."
"I see. But he asked for a wrapping cloth as compensation?"
"Yes. The red silk one that held Grandmaster Bloodgon's will. He requested the imperial family guarantee its ownership."
"And you agreed."
"Yes. How could I refuse such a modest request?"
At those words, the Emperor unconsciously rubbed his forehead.
The Crown Prince tilted his head curiously.
"Why, Father?"
"Sigh... Never mind. It seems right to assign him to you."
"Pardon?"
"If you learn even half of what he does, you'll never lose what's in your grasp."
The Crown Prince tilted his head again.
He couldn't fathom what the Emperor meant.
"I don't understand."
"You thought he had no greed?"
"Yes."
The Emperor smiled wryly and explained.
"Truth be told, no one is greedier than him. He gets everything he wants while making others think otherwise."
"……?"
"Crown Prince. That red wrapping cloth you permitted? It's the imperial treasure, the Hyeonrodo."
"What?!"
"Five hundred years ago, the emperor of that era was saved by Grandmaster Bloodgon and gifted it as thanks—an imperial treasure."
The Crown Prince was stunned.
When Eun Seo-ho mentioned the Hyeonrodo, he'd assumed it was just the cloth around the will.
To think it was an imperial treasure!
He knew of the Hyeonrodo well.
It had been part of the plan to test Eun Seo-ho: the Gold Guard searching for that artifact.
But they'd only planned it—no real expectations.
The artifact's whereabouts had been unknown for ages, and even the records' authenticity was dubious.
That's why he hadn't realized the red cloth was the Hyeonrodo.
"F-Forgive me, Father. I should have been sharper..."
"It's fine. Consider it a cheap lesson fee."
Only then did the Crown Prince vaguely grasp why the Emperor wanted to attach him to Eun Seo-ho.
Meanwhile, the Emperor sighed inwardly.
The Hyeonrodo was the ultimate artifact, guiding the emperor to safety in crises.
The emperor of old had followed its path, meeting Grandmaster Bloodgon and surviving.
It also served as supreme protection.
Legend said it was dyed in dragon's blood—nothing could tear or cut it.
A chance to reclaim such a treasure, lost like this... Regrettable.
But what could he do? It was given.
At least it went to Eun Seo-ho. He trusted the young man wouldn't misuse it.
With the permanent pass in his hands now... Will that satisfy him?
A few days passed.
I stretched and rose from bed.
"Can you get up, young master?"
Palgap entered my quarters and asked. I nodded.
"Yeah, the fake illness is over."
I'd landed a small blow on the Emperor and gotten what I wanted—no need to keep it up.
And if he sent the imperial physician, that'd be real pressure.
The Emperor must have realized the cloth was an artifact.
His gut must be churning.
But with his word given, he had no choice.
I trained properly for the first time in ages. Skipping sessions for the act had left my body sluggish.
After a thorough workout, I bathed, ate breakfast, and headed to my study.
It's hot, though.
Mid-August—peak summer heat.
Next month, cooler winds would come.
Fans sold well this year too. I'd varied the colors.
People preferred vibrant hues.
Honestly, fans were an unrivaled product—no competition.
But complacency meant doom. Slack on R&D, and obsolescence followed.
The future was unpredictable. To keep succeeding, diligent innovation was key.
A few more days passed.
Whew, urgent matters done. Time to breathe.
As I thought that, Palgap brought me a letter.
"Young master, a letter from the Guild Master."
"Father?"
I opened it.
I'd already sent word via Jinyeong about Nanju, and gotten a reply.
Seo-ho, how have you been? The Shaolin Temple brought a fortune today. They said it was a loan from you—they owed you a debt, but I haven't a clue what they mean. They've formally invited you too.
The Shaolin Temple invited me?
Probably about Grandmaster Bloodgon's sword collection.
I had something to deliver anyway—might as well go.